On January 13 the CaGBC and the Canada Coalition for Green Schools officially opened the 2015 Greenest School in Canada competition.

Now in its second year, this annual competition seeks to highlight kindergarten to Grade 12 schools across the country that truly exemplify how sustainability can be woven into the infrastructure, culture and curriculum of a school. These programs  improve the school environment and contribute to healthier indoor and outdoor spaces where students learn and play, impacting not only their health but their performance at school.

As indicated by last year's winning project, Dunbarton High School in Pickering, ON, a green school is one that minimizes environmental impact, optimizes human health and performance, and fosters a generation of environmentally literate students. Dunbarton earned the honour by demonstrating these ideas through a variety of sustainable initiatives, both within the school and in their surrounding community. Read a full case study about Dunbarton High School here.

Schools offering grades between K and 12 are eligible to participate in the Greenest School in Canada competition, and will be judged on the following criteria:

1. Efficient use of resources and reduced environmental impact. 

2. Enhanced health and learning among students, teachers and staff.

3. Emphasis on sustainability and resource-conservation education.

A full submission form can be found on the competition website. New this year, schools can also submit a video application to demonstrate their efforts. The winner will receive $2,000 in prize money to use toward a green activity, and is will be submitted as the official Canadian entry into the Greenest School on Earth competition, awarded annually by the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council. Winners of the international competition receive $1,000 to put toward a new or ongoing sustainability project.